Driving Digital Skills Adoption Doteveryone Digital Connect Pilot Project

20th January 2017

John Perkins

Doteveryone Senior Project Manager

Background

Doteveryone exists - “to understand and address the new set of moral and social challenges that have arrived with the internet, in order to help make life fairer and simpler for everyone in the UK.”

We prototype, influence and help everyone get the skills they need to thrive in the new economy.

Some facts and myths…

1.4m UK SMEs lack

basic digital skills

50% of UK sole traders have

basic digital skills

2.3m UK more digital workers

needed by 2020

There are approx. 1m UK NEETS

Not all young people are

“digital natives”

58% of SMEs report increased sales as a digital

benefit

So how might we tackle this conundrum?

To find an innovative, cost effective way to bridge the digital skills divide, we set up a pilot project to connect SME’s and microbusinesses with young people for mutual benefit.

As part of Doteveryone’s basic digital skills programme (in Croydon and Lewisham) we set up a partnership with Accenture, Lloyds Banking Group and Seetec with two objectives:

A – To increase understanding of digital skills and the resulting benefits for SMEs and microbusinesses, to help them grow and thrive.

B – To find and share ways in which young people can expand their digital skills and employability skills via work experience and qualifications, thus increasing their chances of getting into employment, an apprenticeship or further education.

How did the pilot work?

Each partner brought its expertise and resources to different project elements, but it was led by Doteveryone.

Key Findings

SME Workshop

50% of attendees said their digital skills confidence increased from what they’d learned

79% felt they had the knowledge to make their business more digital

79% said their increased knowledge and expectations of digital can increase their revenue

Young People

73% increased their digital skills as a result of the course and work experience

71% increased their confidence in their digital and employability skills

90% got an IT qualification and 70% progressed to a positive outcome (employment, apprenticeship or FE)

Learnings and Recommendations

Learnings

SMEs are really, really hard to reach

Engaging young people is really hard too

Home based businesses are not always suitable for work experience. Shared workspace works reasonably well

Recommendations

Local engagement of SMEs (via LEPs, FSB, Chambers of Commerce etc) gives greater access and credibility

Close support from traineeship provider is critical for the young people. Needs their engagement with employers, colleges, JCP etc

Coaching / support / clear guidance for SMEs on how to manage a young person on work experience

Thank you for listening

Q&A